1. Feudalism Manor System
The Middle Ages
Feudalism
Manor System

2. Medieval Society Nobility Clergy Peasants Kings and Queens Rulers
Lords and Knights
Controlled the land
Clergy
Church officials
Peasants
Majority of the population
Worked the land and served the nobles

3. Feudalism
Political and social system based on the granting of land in exchange for loyalty, military assistance, and other services

4. Feudalism
Developed as a result of frequent invasions in western Europe
Kings and nobles needed a way to protect their lands

5. Feudalism Lords divided their lands into estates called fiefs
Fiefs (land) given to vassals
A person granted land in return for loyalty or military service
All nobles were vassals to the king

6. Feudalism Knights Mounted warriors who protected lord’s lands
Given land for their services
Chivalry
Code of ethics followed by knights
Honesty, fairness in battle, loyal, proper treatment of women

8. Feudal Obligations Knights Obligation to Lord
Lord’s Obligation to Knights
Provide military service
Remain loyal and faithful
Give money on special occasions
Give Land
Protect from attack
Resolve disputes between knights

9. Constructing the Pyramid Feudal Power
SERFS AND FREEMEN

10. Constructing the Pyramid of Feudal Power
LESSER NOBLES
(KNIGHTS)
LABOR
PROTECTION
SERFS AND FREEMEN

11. Constructing the Pyramid of Feudal Power
POWERFUL
NOBLES
LAND AND
PROTECTION
LOYALTY AND
MILITARY SERVICE
LESSER NOBLES
(KNIGHTS)
LABOR
PROTECTION
SERFS AND FREEMEN

12. Constructing the Pyramid of Feudal Power
KING
LOYALTY AND
SERVICE
LAND
POWERFUL
NOBLES
LAND AND
PROTECTION
LOYALTY AND
MILITARY SERVICE
LESSER NOBLES
(KNIGHTS)
LABOR
PROTECTION
SERFS AND FREEMEN

13. Closure Explain why feudalism developed in western Europe.
What was a knight’s obligation to the lord?
What was the lord’s obligation to the knight?

15. Check Your Answers Everyone owed loyalty to the king.
Nobles were near the top of the social hierarchy. They got land from the king.
Lesser nobles (knights) gave military service in return for land.
Serfs were bound to the land. They worked in return for protection.
Freemen were skilled workers. They paid rent to the nobles and were free.